Citizens’ Influence on Government

Interest Groups

A group of citizens who try and influence government E.g. – Greenpeace, Canadian Cancer Society, Amnesty

International, Canadian Federation of Labour (don’t forget about the ‘dark side’ of the force: oil industry, tobacco companies, fast-food, alcohol, etc.)

Lobbyists: representatives of Interest groups Meet with Cabinet Ministers, and/or parliamentary

committees. They will present research findings and specific expertise in an attempt to

Interest groups also try to influence public opinion through advertising.

Mass Media

population are heavily influenced by this ‘agency’.

Newspapers and T.V. serve as the only form of information for many.

Media Concentration: most news is owned by Bell, Shaw, Rogers.

Canadians receive biased news, advertisements etc.

Protest Groups

use actions such as rallies, parades, marches, public demonstrations, and blockades to draw attention to their cause.

usually ‘peaceful assemblies’ (as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)

Civil Disobedience

intentionally disobeying a law that one thinks is unjust

Principles: should not involve violence; directed against harmful laws Clayoquot Sound (1993):

blockades of logging roads to prevent clear-cut.

Teacher Strike (2005): B.C. teachers refused to go back to work until the provincial government honoured contract promises